Sunday, December 22, 2024

Phil Foden defends place in England starting XI and insists he can play alongside Jude Bellingham

Must read

Foden’s performance against Serbia was criticised by former England striker Ian Wright and ex-Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Wright said: “I don’t think Phil Foden played well, he didn’t get into it. People talk about Foden and his positions. I can understand that because of how good he is as a footballer, but he didn’t get into the game.

“We can’t always blame the system. He needs to make it happen for himself and demand the ball.”

Fabregas said: “You cannot tell me that players like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], like Foden, like Bellingham, like Rice, they don’t have the quality to hold the ball anywhere in the pitch.

“It’s about do you want it enough to make a difference and hold the ball for your team? Do you want to make things happen? Do you enjoy getting the ball under pressure?

“We started to see Foden hitting the ball without looking 40 yards. You’ll never see Xavi, Iniesta, the top, top players in the last 15, 20, years, do that. You need to take this responsibility to grow. I think players like Foden, they need to step up.”

Latest article